Press releases

Arriva plc was today honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade after trebling the size of its bus and rail business in mainland Europe in just six years.

The award was announced today (April 21), the Queen’s birthday.

Since 1997 Arriva has developed a network of operations in mainland Europe to complement its successful UK bus and train businesses. The company has grown rapidly outside the UK, almost trebling mainland European revenues over the six years to 2007. 

Arriva is the only UK listed public transport group to have established a successful and substantial pan-European footprint.  Arriva’s revenue from outside the UK topped £1.39 billion In 2008.  The company’s success is underpinned by a strong focus on operational excellence and close relationships with the communities it serves.

Arriva plc chief executive David Martin said: “This prestigious award recognises the success we have had in transforming Arriva and firmly establishing it as one of the leading players in the European public transport industry.  It underlines our breadth of experience in varied markets across the continent and our ability to deliver for our passengers and transport authority customers. 

“It’s especially rewarding that we have been recognised for our contribution to the UK’s international trade.  When Arriva began its move into Europe many commentators thought it couldn’t be done. Our success in that endeavour is now widely recognised. 

“We have built a strong team across 12 countries which reflects the communities where we provide transport services and a culture in which good ideas can be shared readily across the group. 

“Transport is part of the real economy, it meets real social needs, it’s a necessary service.  It creates a lot of jobs and helps a lot of other people do their jobs.  I’m proud to be associated with a British company that is an international leader in a vital industry.”

The Queen’s Award is for trade between 2002 and 2007, a period of growth when Arriva significantly expanded in Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal – and entered new markets in Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland.

A formal presentation of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2009 will be made to Arriva later in the year.

Consolidating growth

Arriva’s growth to a group operating more than 15,000 buses and 570 trains across 12 countries has depended on keen market intelligence, being ready for when European countries or regions progress liberalisation of their public transport markets and identifying suitable acquisition opportunities.  Building relationships and being able to demonstrate Arriva’s success elsewhere has been key to many existing transport operators or public authorities choosing to work with the company.

David Martin said: “When Arriva looks at a new country or region which is contemplating market liberalisation, we work to assist and inform stakeholders of the benefits we can help bring. We can demonstrate how authorities can reduce the burden on the public purse through competition and operational efficiencies. An open approach and a willingness to share our experience have increased Arriva’s standing with such bodies.

“We can assure the local workforce, passengers and local or national government bodies that we are not simply imposing a British way of doing things.  What we are exporting is the experience and skills we have developed both in the UK and under a wide variety of competitive and regulatory models elsewhere in Europe.

“We have been able to demonstrate to authorities in different countries that we have experience of turning around struggling businesses into successful enterprises.  Having such experience has given them the confidence that we are a good partner to help overcome their public transport challenges.

“In Denmark, for example, we were the very first private rail operator and proved we could operate the services more punctually, with higher passenger satisfaction levels, and at lower cost to the taxpayer, than the previous state-owned operator.

“Our experience and scope put us in a strong position to continue increasing our market share in a huge and growing European public transport market, estimated to be worth more than £200 million per year.”

Business Minister, Lord Mandelson, said: “I heartily congratulate all today’s winners of The Queen’s Awards.  These inspirational firms have proved they are amongst Britain’s very best businesses.  They are flying the flag for British enterprise, innovation and corporate responsibility, both here and abroad.  They have achieved the UK’s most prestigious standard of business excellence, and set the standard for other businesses to follow as they help lead Britain out of recession.”

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